Neighbourhood dispute ends in death on Gold Coast footpath

A man remains in custody after his neighbour, with whom he had a long-running dispute, was found dead outside his Gold Coast home on Wednesday morning.

Police were called by members of the public about 5.40am after 60-year-old Bradley Ward was found lying lifeless on the footpath of Whiting Street at Labrador.

An argument between the father-of-two and his neighbour became physical, police said, with a broom handle used as a weapon, before Mr Ward collapsed.

Paramedics attempted first aid on the man but he died at the scene with grazes to his arm and head.

A crime scene was declared and a 48-year-old man is assisting police with their inquiries. No charges have been laid.

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said police were speaking to witnesses.

"It appears that there's been some sort of an ongoing neighbourhood dispute between the two of them and that this morning has progressed to some sort of physical confrontation," he said.

Inspector Ahearn said one of the theories being investigated included the possibility the fight was over feeding birds.

He said a passing taxi driver who saw the brawl pulled over and stopped it.

"We believe [the taxi driver] might have also been the subject of an assault on him when he tried to intervene but those matters are being investigated," he said.

Inspector Ahearn said family members of both men were home at the time of the confrontation, which police believed happened as the 60-year-old was leaving his home.

"They're in shock," he said. "These are dramatic events and they're still processing that and, of course, we're speaking to a number of them to obtain their versions of what they know happened this morning."

One neighbour told media at the scene the events had left him devastated.

"The man that passed away, leaves behind two small kiddies, who attend the local school. He leaves a wife, and a mother."

Anyone who might have in the area between 5am and 6am is urged to contact police.